Eric Boggs
The Ohio State Buckeyes showcased their offensive firepower Monday night, leaving no room for a Green Bay comeback as they cruised to a decisive 102-69 victory at Value City Arena. From start to finish, the Buckeyes controlled the game, improving to 5-1 on the season while handing Green Bay (2-5) a tough loss.
While Green Bay managed to narrow Ohio State’s lead to single digits on several occasions, the Buckeyes turned on the jets in the second half. They established a double-digit lead for good with 11:36 remaining and never looked back, marking the victory with balanced scoring and standout performances from the backcourt.
Point guard Bruce Thornton delivered a masterful performance, dominating with both scoring and playmaking. Thornton finished with a game-high 25 points and nine assists, asserting himself as the engine behind Ohio State’s offense. Shooting guard Meechie Johnson Jr. complemented Thornton’s efforts, sinking five three-pointers en route to 17 points.
The Buckeyes’ offensive depth was on full display, as seven players scored in double figures—a feat not seen since Nov. 27, 1989. Freshman John Mobley Jr. added 14 points, Sean Stewart contributed 11, and Micah Parrish, Evan Mahaffey, and Devin Royal each chipped in 10.
Ohio State’s back-to-back 100-point games marked the first time the program has achieved this since December 1990. During that memorable stretch, the Buckeyes opened the season with four consecutive 100-point games, followed by two more 100-point outings in a seven-game span. This latest offensive explosion highlights the potency of head coach Chris Holtmann’s squad as they continue their strong start to the season.
Green Bay’s Anthony Roy, the nation’s leading scorer, led all players with 30 points, but it wasn’t enough to counter Ohio State’s balanced attack.
Ohio State came out firing, with Johnson quickly establishing the tone from beyond the arc. Despite an early response from Green Bay that cut the lead to 12-11, Thornton’s three-pointer and an assist to Mahaffey ignited a 7-0 run. Mahaffey added a blocked shot and a layup during the sequence, giving Ohio State a commanding 19-11 lead with just under 11 minutes to play in the first half.
Johnson’s sharpshooting was a constant in the opening half, as he drained five three-pointers, including a jaw-dropping shot from just inside the Ohio State logo. Thornton added two triples of his own, helping the Buckeyes finish the half with a 42-32 lead. Ohio State dominated both from deep (9-of-18, 50%) and on the glass, outrebounding Green Bay 22-12.
Ohio State wasted no time extending its lead after the break, with Parrish converting a three-point play and Royal adding a layup to push the advantage to 49-34. Green Bay refused to go quietly, as Roy sparked a 10-2 run to narrow the gap to 51-44.
Thornton stepped up in response, halting Green Bay’s momentum with a floater before scoring eight consecutive points on his own. This outburst was part of a 12-0 Buckeye run that effectively put the game out of reach. Mobley joined the action with two triples, while Parrish added his second three-point play of the night during the stretch.
Ohio State’s bench took the floor late in the game, capping off the scoring when Kalen Etzler hit a hook shot to push the Buckeyes over the century mark for the second straight outing.
With their potent offense firing on all cylinders, the Buckeyes appear poised for a strong season. Their ability to spread the scoring and dominate in multiple facets of the game underscores their depth and versatility. Ohio State fans can feel confident that this team has the tools to compete at a high level as they gear up for tougher challenges ahead.
